YES

deserves classic status. 10/10. one of the most underappreciated and misunderstood songs i've ever seen. perfection.

Should have been a single

An underrated and underappreciated track, that is not given enough credit by fans and is unknown to the general public. Trivia time, pop singer Kylie Minogue early on in her career said in an interview that it was a favorite song of hers. The song was covered by Latoya Jackson.

Very addictive song that has the cool lyric "I strangle Valentino you've been mine ever since. If anyone asks, you belong to Prince." Of course it has that "Vibrator" / "Orgasm" guitar sound at the end to make it distinctively Prince rather than just pure pop. I like it better than "delerious" (a single from 1999 so not far removed from this Controversy track). Controversy is such a cool album, the bridge between Dirty Mind and 1999.

robertgeorge said:

An underrated and underappreciated track, that is not given enough credit by fans and is unknown to the general public. Trivia time, pop singer Kylie Minogue early on in her career said in an interview that it was a favorite song of hers. The song was covered by Latoya Jackson.

Very addictive song that has the cool lyric "I strangle Valentino you've been mine ever since. If anyone asks, you belong to Prince." Of course it has that "Vibrator" / "Orgasm" guitar sound at the end to make it distinctively Prince rather than just pure pop. I like it better than "delerious" (a single from 1999 so not far removed from this Controversy track). Controversy is such a cool album, the bridge between Dirty Mind and 1999.

r u getting paid 2 post? u sound like a magazine.

One of my top Ten Prince songs. Love this groove.

I have always liked it!

lustmealways said:

It's really a great song which I just despise as a throwaway, how wrong I was.

A classic.

I love it, it's one of the key songs that got me into Prince's music. Fun, relatable song. Love that it's about Susan also!

Always liked Private Joy. I think Controversy is one of Prince's weaker albums, but this one was a highlight. Great guitar break at the end too

SquirrelMeat76 said:

RJOrion said:

SquirrelMeat76 said:

Always liked Private Joy. I think Controversy is one of Prince's weaker albums, but this one was a highlight. Great guitar break at the end too

i never thought that highly of Controvesy either...it took me years to get into that album...and then i only really like Private Joy, Sexuality, Annie Christian, and Do Me Baby

What about the title track, Controversy? You didn't list that as one you like? That's one of his greatest all-time songs.

lurker316 said:

RJOrion said:

SquirrelMeat76 said: i never thought that highly of Controvesy either...it took me years to get into that album...and then i only really like Private Joy, Sexuality, Annie Christian, and Do Me Baby

What about the title track, Controversy? You didn't list that as one you like? That's one of his greatest all-time songs.

One of his best, it's not just a song it's more of a statement of sorts.

lurker316 said:

RJOrion said:

SquirrelMeat76 said: i never thought that highly of Controvesy either...it took me years to get into that album...and then i only really like Private Joy, Sexuality, Annie Christian, and Do Me Baby

What about the title track, Controversy? You didn't list that as one you like? That's one of his greatest all-time songs.

As they say that GM's greatest moment was the sax intro to CWhispers, I think P's greatest moment could perhaps be the 'Do I believe in god, do I believe in me?' line.

I like the lyrical content and what Prince(r.i.p.) is really talkng about. Even when I first heard it I knew exactly what he was really talking about & it was so nasty that he worshiped it.

I always thought "Annie Christian" was the stellar hidden gem off that record.

telecode101 said:

love2thenines2003 said:

telecode101 said:

I always thought "Annie Christian" was the stellar hidden gem off that record.

FOR ME...this is....this the best innovative trax on the album and the best one!

Didn't really care much for it when I first heard the album. However, after hearing it live on some Controversy Tour soundboards, I have a whole new appreciation for it. Simply stunning!

Private Joy has been a favorite of mine since the first day I brought the vinyl home in 1984... Definitely should have been a single! I also love that Susan inspired it.

SoulAlive said:

Should have been a single

It was used as the B-side to 'Do Me Baby'. Personally I think he should have switched them around.

Really like this album. Private Joy is def a highlight. That song in particular is the bridge to the 1999 sound, vocally and musically imo. But my fave from the album is the epic title track followed closely by Let's Work.

The one I have never been a fan of is Jack U Off.

VaultCurator said:

SoulAlive said:

Should have been a single

It was used as the B-side to 'Do Me Baby'. Personally I think he should have switched them around.

It should have worked much better. I t could have been a hit in the early 80's

VaultCurator said:

SoulAlive said:

Should have been a single

It was used as the B-side to 'Do Me Baby'. Personally I think he should have switched them around.

I agree.

in 1981,when I got a copy of this album,I played "Private Joy" over and over and over and over I was hooked on this song!

When I first bought the album, this was my favourite.

Although it's slipped down my list over the years, it's great and it's importance is so understated.

This was joint debut of non-falsetto as a lead vocal (along with Contoversy and Jack U Off) and more importantly, the debut of the linn drum machine.

This is one of the cornerstones of the Prince sound.

I have tried to like Private Joy, but I never managed to get into it. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. Jack U Off and Ronnie Talk To Russia are two other songs on the Controversy album that I have a hard time with. The rest of the album is top notch 10/10 material!!!